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“Especially since New Year’s Eve. Did something happen, Alma?”
“I didn’t want to talk to you about it…”
“Talk to me about what?”
“He’d probably had too much to drink.”
And the truth is, I’m afraid you won’t believe me.
The tension in this palatial suite is thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Alma, did he do something to you? Tell me!”
“No, no, it’s not that. He was just putting on a show for the press. He was talking about you, so I asked him to be a little more discreet, and—”
“And?”
“And he threatened me.”
“What do you mean?”
“‘Given everything I know about Vadim, you’d better back off,’” I quote.
Vadim sighs. “That little jerk was trying to provoke you. You should know that. He loves testing people, pushing them to their breaking point.”
“So, you don’t think he’s capable of betraying you? Either to make a name for himself or… make some money? Celebrity scoops pay very well, you know,” I suggest tentatively.
“If he slips up, it’ll be my problem. But I highly doubt he will; he’s more loyal than you think. Let me handle him from now on.”
Vadim leans back in his chair and studies me for a long time.
“How about we talk about that bathrobe instead, Lancaster?”
“What do you want with it?”
“What do you think?”
His wicked smile sends a swarm of butterflies fluttering to the pit of my stomach. But before we’ve even gotten started, someone rings the doorbell and bursts our bubble. Vadim gets up, plants a hungry kiss on my neck, then goes to open the door.
I hear two male voices, then the door clicking shut. Vadim comes back, several magazines in hand.
“I asked Henry to bring me today’s press.”
He tosses the magazines onto the table.
“We’re on every cover?!” I exclaim.
“Yes, ever since the announcement, they haven’t let up. And they keep inventing stuff…”
“What’s the point of photographing us in a drugstore?”
“Look at the headline.”
“‘Vadim King and Alma: A Baby on the Way?’ What? Where did they get that idea?”
I’m practically shaking.
“Look at the subheading…”
